An
unruly passenger who caused a flight disturbance that diverted a cross-country Delta flight to Oklahoma City on Friday was a flight attendant on inactive status, according to the airline.
Atlanta resident Stephon Jamar Duncan, 34, was
on Flight 1730 from Los Angeles bound for Atlanta.
Crew members said Duncan "was exhibiting strange and paranoid behavior," the police report says. He was stashing personal items in various places throughout the plane, such as tennis balls with writing on them, trash and food.
"Duncan was ignoring flight crews' orders to remain seated and stop disturbing and frightening passengers with odd and random statements," according to the report. He handed a crew member a note saying, "alert Delta manager — terrorist on board.
The report says he used the PA system and made an announcement. A flight attendant tried to take away control of the PA system from him, which led to a scuffle between him and crew members, who were helped by passengers, while some other passengers recorded it on video.
In one video, someone trying to hold down the man yells, "We need the restraints. We need the restraints!"
Then, a pilot announces: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. We would like all strong males to the front of the aircraft to handle a problem passenger."
During the scuffle, Duncan allegedly shoved a crew member against the wall and began choking an off-duty crew member, the report says. Duncan was restrained with flex cuffs.
Some passengers who saw the fracas posted on social media that the man was trying to open a plane door. Delta said that was not the case, though the scuffle over the PA system occurred next to a door.